County Extension Director - Agriculture

Orange County Extension Director, responsible for providing leadership and direction in the
planning, organization, coordination, implementation and evaluation of the overall Extension
program. This includes the program areas of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H and Youth
Development, and Family and Consumer Sciences. He conducts programs in sustainable food systems.

Education - Ph.D., Univeristy of Florida,
M.S., University of Florida,
B.S., University of Florida.

Family and Consumer Sciences (House & Home, Money Matters, Home & Community Education)

Provides leadership for general education related to Housing and Home Environment with a focus on
efforts to empower individuals with knowledge about healthy indoor environments including
controlling mold growth in the home, water and energy conservation, home safety and disaster
preparedness, principles of universal design and lifecycle housing, keeping the home environment
clean, and living and building green. Teaches the Home Owner Post Purchase Counseling and Section
VIII Tenant workshops for the City of Orlando/Orange County Housing program participants.

Serves as agent advisor for the Orange County Association for Home and Community Education (HCE) --
an Extension volunteer organization dedicated to strengthening individuals and families through
education, leadership and action

Nutrition, Health, and Food Safety Agent. Serves as the Orange County Nutrition Agent
providing education in the areas of food nutrition, wellness, and food safety. In service to the
families and individuals of Orange County, workshops on healthy eating, meal planning, and
prevention of illness due to proper nutrition are offered through out the year.

Acts as facilitator and test proctor for ServSafe Food Managers/Handlers Safety program.
The program is designed to instruct food industry employees on proper food handling, serving, and
storing. The training is to ensure that those working in the food industry practice preventative
measures to reduce food-borne illness incidences.

Residential Horticulture

Provides educational information to residents relating to landscaping design, planning, and maintenance of
home landscapes. Answers urban horticulture questions from Orange County residents. Teaches classes and workshops
using the principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping ™, including ornamental plants for the landscape,
proper irrigation practices, adding color with annual flowers, and interior plants for the home.

Education - M.S. in Pest Management - University of Florida
M.S. in Agribusiness - University of Florida
B.S. in Agricultural Business (minor in Horticulture) - Pennsylvania State University

4-H Youth Development

Works with youth and adult volunteers to develop and deliver programs based on needs in Orange
County. Works with the 4-H team to train volunteers and provide educational foundation
in the experiential learning model or “learn by doing” methodology.
Agent liaison for life skill development in the following project areas: animal science, agricultural
literacy, natural resource programs, environmental education, citizenship and leadership education,
workforce preparation and career development, and outreach programs.

4-H Youth Development

Recruits, trains, and supervises adult volunteers. Provides informal educational
programs for a youth audience. Collaborates with other agencies and community groups to
plan and implement youth programming. Conducts promotional efforts aimed at increasing
public awareness of youth development programming.

Commercial Horticulture

Provides education and training for the Commercial Nursery and Greenhouse industry in Orange county.
Co-ordinates the weekly diagnostic plant clinic for growers at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center,
Apopka FL on Tuesday afternoon from 1 pm - 4pm.
Editor of the Business & Technology section of the statewide e-newsletter
"The Plant Producer".
Collaborates with other Commercial Horticulture Agents statewide to provide accurate and current information to clients about
plant production, IPM’s, BMP’s and business and marketing.